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מְרִיב בַּעַל

𐤌𐤓𐤉𐤁 𐤁𐤏𐤋

Meriv Baal

H4807 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ריב, בעל to strive, to contend, lord, master (Baal, the deity)

Definition

Personal name meaning 'contender with Baʿal' or 'Baal strives.' Used as a theophoric compound name designating an individual characterized by opposition to, or conflict with, the deity Baʿal. The name is borne by a descendant of Saul (Jonathan's son) in the monarchic period, and reflects a specific stance or relationship with the Canaanite deity Baʿal. The term may imply 'one who contends against Baal' or, ambiguously, 'Baal contends.'

Semantic Range

personal name, contender with Baal, one for or against whom Baal contends, theophoric name, Israelite naming incorporating Baal

Root / Etymology

Compound formed from the roots רִיב (to strive, contend, quarrel) and בַּעַל (Baal, a title meaning 'lord, master,' commonly referring to the Canaanite storm god Baʿal, but also used generically for 'lord'). The name is constructed as a theophoric phrase-name, common in Israelite onomastics. The formation parallels other names constructed with a verb/root and a theophoric element.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Historically, מְרִיב בַּעַל (Mᵉrîyb Baʿal) is best known as an alternative name for the individual called מְפִי־בֹשֶׁת (Mephibosheth), son of Jonathan and grandson of Saul (see 1 Chronicles 8:34; 9:40). The use of 'Baal' as a theophoric element in Israelite names was common in the early monarchic period but later declined due to polemical distancing from Canaanite worship; in later traditions, 'Baal' in names was frequently replaced with 'bosheth' (shame), as seen in the transformation of this name to Mephibosheth. The occurrence of the name reflects the religious pluralism and eventual polemic against Baalism in Israelite tradition. English translations often render the name literally, but later traditions obscure the original theophoric component. The epithet is not applied to Gideon in the Hebrew Bible; that is 'Jerubbaal.' The person named מְרִיב בַּעַל is found exclusively in genealogical lists of the Chronicler's tradition, reflecting a textual variation or preservation of the older name.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from רִיב and בַּעַל; quarreller of Baal, Merib-Baal, an epithet of Gideon; Merib-baal. Compare מְרִי בַעַל.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

ריב, בעל (r-y-b; b-ʿ-l) — to strive, contend; lord, master (Baal)

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4807-01 בָּ֑עַל baal HNp baal master 3
H4807-02 מְרִ֣יב meriv HNp Merib Contender-with-Baal 2
H4807-03 וּ/מְרִ֥יב umeriv HC/Np and Merib- and Contender-with-Baal 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4807-02 1 Chronicles 8:34 מְרִ֣יב meriv HNp Merib- Contender-with-Baal
H4807-01 1 Chronicles 8:34 בָּ֑עַל baal HNp baal master
H4807-03 1 Chronicles 8:34 וּ/מְרִ֥יב umeriv HC/Np and Merib- and Contender-with-Baal
H4807-01 1 Chronicles 8:34 בַּ֖עַל baal-2 HNp baal master
H4807-02 1 Chronicles 9:40 מְרִ֣יב meriv HNp Merib Contender-with-Baal
H4807-01 1 Chronicles 9:40 בָּ֑עַל baal HNp baal master
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